Joanna Donnelly is the third celebrity to exit Dancing with the Stars
It was the end of the rainbow for meteorologist Joanna Donnelly tonight as she became the third celebrity to be eliminated from Dancing with the Stars.
Speaking about her time on the show Joanna said, “I’ve had the time of my life, meeting this interesting, clever man (Maciej) He’s just brilliant.”
Asked if her elimination meant that Ireland was going to have an awful summer Joanna joked “Yes – I’m going to cancel St. Patrick’s Day!” Asked if she’d recommend it to other celebrities to take part she said, “Absolutely it’s alot of time but there’s no better use of your time!”
Eurovision fever continued to dominate our screens on Dancing with the Stars, as the cast of celebrity and pro dancers paid homage to some of the contest’s most iconic songs tonight.
The nine remaining couples danced to some of the greatest hits the Eurovision has ever produced, hoping to impress the judges and public. However, the pressure was on more than ever as the two couples with the lowest combined points from the judges and public had to face off in the first dance-off of the season.
The two couples who found themselves in the dance off were:
Joanna Donnelly and Maciej Zieba
Aishah Akorede and Robert
Here’s the lowdown on the rest of the sixth show:
Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly and her dance partner Maciej Zieba went back in time to 1974 and performed a Jive to Abba’s iconic winning-entry, Waterloo.
Arthur Gourounlian said: “You looked like a little disco ball out there! You gave it your all. Great job.”
Karen Byrne said: “What a way to open the show. It lacked a little bounce but you were having a ball and the audience were having a ball watching you!”
Joanna and Maciej scored a total of 23 points.
Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and his pro partner Salome Chachua danced a Contemporary Ballroom to The Netherlands 2019 winner and viral hit Arcade by Duncan Laurence.
Arthur said: “Mesmerising! Spellbinding!”
Loraine Barry said: “Hats off to you Danny – the faith Salome must have in you. The key element was timing. I’m very impressed.”
Danny and Salome scored a total of 36 points.
Having won immunity from this week’s first Dance-Off with their leader board-topping American Smooth last week, Taekwondo athlete Jack Woolley and his pro dancer, Alex Vladimirov faced a little less stress as they danced a Paso Doble to Finland’s 2023 runner-up, Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä. Jack and Alex cannot be eliminated and have booked their place in next week’s show.
Brian said: “You’re not immune to hard work.”
Karen said: “Your costume is deadly. It was unreal. Go and relax now!”
Loraine said: “As for the legs I thought they were amazing. A huge improvement and they should be in leather all the time!”
Jack and Alex scored a total of 35 points.
Burning up the dancefloor social media star Kayleigh Trappe and, her partner Ervinas Merfeldas danced the Samba to the 2018 contest runner-up from Cyprus, Fuego by Eleni Foureira.
Karen said: “You were on fire! The attitude! The energy! The fact that there’s a dance off tonight – it’s like you’re saying give me this… I want more!”
Loraine said: “There is a fire in your belly. You went for it tonight. You absolutely nailed it.”
Kayleigh and Ervinas scored a total of 30 points – their highest score of the season so far.
Comedian Gearóid Farrelly and his pro dancer partner Stephen Vincent performed Contemporary Ballroom to Gearóid’s friend and podcast co-host, Niamh Kavanagh’s 1993 winning Irish entry In Your Eyes. There was extra pressure on Gearóid, as Niamh watched his performance from the front row in studio.
Arthur said: “In my eyes this partnership is inseparable.”
Brian said: “I thought tonight you looked a little under pressure but the lifts were fantastic.”
Gearoid Farrelly scored a total of 31 points.
Hoping to impress the judges, resident Armenian-panellist Arthur Gorounlian in particular, Kin actress Yasmin Seky and Simone Arena danced a Salsa to Armenia’s 2008 contest classic, Qélé, Qélé by Sirusho.
Arthur said: “Did I like it? I loved it! It gave me life!”
Brian said: “The lifts were a little clumsy but you got into the atmosphere and it’s the best I’ve seen you look.”
Yasmin and Simone scored a total of 32 points.
Olympic gymnast Rhys McClenaghan and his pro partner Laura Nolan danced a Quickstep to Norway’s 2009 winning entry, Fairytale by Alexander Rybak.
Loraine said: “The frame was incredible.”
Karen said: “The little laugh on you making it look easy! When are you going to be bad??”
Rhys and Laura scored a total of 39 points.
Chef Kevin Dundon and his pro partner Rebecca Scott danced a Waltz to the 2017 winning song Amar Pelos Dois from Portugal’s Salvador Sobral.
Karen said: “You should be so proud. I love how much progress you’ve made. Rebecca you look like his number one fan.”
Brian said: “I know it’s the point of doing this show but I think you’re getting better!”
Loraine said: “So elegant, very beautiful. Your best one yet!”
Kevin and Rebecca scored a total of 25 points – Kevin’s highest score of the season.
Former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede and Robert Rowiński performed Charleston to the United Kingdom’s 1996 classic, Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit by Gina G.
Arthur said: “You brought the party tonight!”
Karen said: “The lifts were insane. I loved it.”
Aishah and Robert scored a total of 30 points.
The Dancing with the Stars squad welcomed Ireland’s newest Eurovision representative EMMY to the Eurovision family by asking her to officially open the voting lines.
Listen in to Laura Fox on 2FM tomorrow morning at 9:30am to hear Joanna’s exit interview.
Tune in to Dancing with the Stars – next week for Love Week – Sunday February 16th from 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
-ENDS-
Date: Sunday February 9th 2025
Photography credit: Kyran O’Brien
RTÉ Communications: Rayna Conner and Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill
Notes to Editor:
ABOUT DANCING WITH THE STARS 2025
Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RTÉ One series sees 11 well-known figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week. Each pairing will have a different dancing genre to master every week, from the Charleston to hip hop, and they’ll have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing live to the nation.
Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges and the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.
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